Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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394. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the further advice she has taken on the roll-out of phone pouches for schools since assuming office; the degree to which she has considered alternatives and the opportunity cost of this plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13943/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, €9 million has been allocated in Budget 2025 to support post-primary schools to implement a restriction on the use of mobile phones during the school day, through the purchase of pouches or other secure storage solutions.

This initiative is intended to support the wellbeing of school students and improve learning outcomes. It is part of a suite of wellbeing measures provided by my Department and government, including mental health supports in schools, and support for the work of Coimisiún na Meán with the introduction of the Online Safety Code and associated resources. At primary level, my predecessor Minister Foley launched the Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free initiative in 2023, to assist parents to adopt voluntary undertakings to not purchase mobile phones for their primary-age children. This initiative has been very well received, and was supported by information sessions on online safety for parents delivered on a regional basis through the education centre network, facilitated by Webwise.

Webwise is part of the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre supporting teachers, students and parents on online safety. They provide a wide range of training material and resources. The Irish Safer Internet Centre partners are Webwise, Hotline.ie, ISPCC Childline and National Parents Council.

Webwise promotes the autonomous, effective and safe use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves, with consistent and relevant messages. It develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. Webwise is funded by the Department of Education and the EU Internet Safety Initiative.

The webwise.ie resource includes a dedicated School/Teachers Hub, a Parents Hub and a Youth Hub. These give practical information and advice on the safe, ethical and responsible use of the internet and address key issues such as cyberbullying, sexting, image sharing, respectful communication, social media, popular apps and more.

There is considerable ongoing discourse reflecting the concerns of parents and guardians around access by children and young people to mobile phones and social media platforms. I am hearing these concerns expressed by parents and educators, as well as mental health professionals and advocates. It should be noted is not mandatory for schools to purchase phone pouches, and my Department is developing guidelines to issue to support schools in developing their policies in this regard which will advise that schools should consult with their school community, parents, staff and children, to inform the policy.

For those post-primary schools who intend to implement their policy through the use of portable phone storage solutions, work is underway within the Department of Education to establish a procurement mechanism for schools to acquire an appropriate solution in accordance with procurement regulations, to be available before the end of the current school year.

This policy approach will be monitored, and in due course to allow for the development of and implementation of approaches in schools, will be reviewed. This will include consultation with relevant stakeholders, as well as children and young people.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the roll-out of phone pouches for schools; if the details of the scheme have been prepared; if tenders have been issued; if contracts have been signed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13944/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, €9 million has been allocated in Budget 2025 to support post-primary schools to implement a restriction on the use of mobile phones during the school day, through the purchase of pouches or other secure storage solutions.

This initiative is intended to support the wellbeing of school students and improve learning outcomes. It is part of a suite of wellbeing measures provided by my Department and government, including mental health supports in schools, and support for the work of Coimisiún na Meán with the introduction of the Online Safety Code and associated resources.

The level of funding provided is intended to front-load the investment in year one, as the storage solutions can be reused year to year. For subsequent years, funding will be allocated to cover replacement costs that may arise over time. It should be noted is not mandatory for schools to purchase phone pouches.

The Department will assist schools in implementing the restriction on the use of and access to student mobile phones during the school day through the provision of appropriate guidance. Guidance will also be provided where schools have an existing solution in place.

For those post-primary schools who intend to implement their policy through the use of portable phone storage solutions, work is underway within the Department of Education to establish a procurement mechanism for schools to acquire an appropriate solution in accordance with procurement regulations, to be available before the end of the current school year.

The Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), which is the Department support service for schools to support and assist schools on procurement matters generally, will be available to provide assistance in relation to the procurement procedures for the procurement mechanism.

The Call for Tender (CfT) for the ‘Provision of Secure Mobile Phone Pouches for Students in Post-primary Schools’ published on the eTenders platform has now closed for submission of tenders. Tenders have been received and are in the process of being evaluated.

Funding will issue to schools to avail of the procurement mechanism established in due course, including the process for schools to avail of this funding.

Guidance will also be developed for schools to apply for funding in future years to replace the equipment when needed.